The European TDi Diesel range of VW turbodiesel engines has recently been extended to include two new models. Both use a system of individual unit high-pressure injectors, or pumpe duse in German, abbreviated to PD. The result is a slight increase in horse-power from 90 and 110 to 115 and 130 BHP respectively, and a whopping increase in torque to 210 ft/lb for both engines.

Traditionally diesel engines use a single fuel pump that distributes fuel to all injectors. The PD system uses a high-pressure pump for each injector. This allows for improved fuel economy since diesel-injection is controlled with unprecedentedprecision, resulting in a frugal 53MPG in combined cycles. It also improves performance by virtue of higher pressure and better controlled fuel injection.

All models are equipped with a Garrett variable-vane (variable-geometry) turbo that increases boost to respond to higher loads, and a Garrett waste-gate (known as dump-valve in the US). The turbocharger's vanes, unlike conventional turbos, can shift the vane geometry to provide a more forceful airflow when an increase in load is detected to provide the increase in power required.

The torque on the previous engine was already impressive but the recent increase has matched the performance of diesel hatch-backs to that of several GTI-spec petrol models. Driving the 110 BHP model TDi myself, I frequently encounter torque-steer when attempting to convince the front wheels to grip tarmac in second-gear at 2500 rpm and shudder to think of the way the new engines must respond to similar treatment unless some form of torque-limiter is provided as an option. The Acura (Honda in Europe) Integra equipped with a Limited Slip Differential (abbreviated in true Japanese fashion to LSD on the rear windscreen of the Integra!) fails to cope with the torque when shifting up at high rpm and as correctly stated in the previous writeup never develops torque in the range of the TDi Golf engine, so a more rapidly reacting system must be implemented to make the diesel models safe to drive in all but optimal conditions.

Increasing power and torque while increasing fuel economy sounds too good to be true, and those who advocated the switching to diesel as a source of less polluting, more economical fuel now add increased torque to their artillery of arguments in favour of diesel.